Roman theatre (structure)

Theatre building built in ancient Roman times

Roman theatre at Amman, Jordan

Roman theatres derive from and are part of the overall evolution of earlier Greek theatres. Much of the architectural influence on the Romans came from the Greeks, and theatre structural design was no different from other buildings. However, Roman theatres have specific differences, such as generally being built upon their own foundations instead of earthen works or a hillside and being completely enclosed on all sides.

## Architecture

[edit]

Standard floor plan of a Roman theatre

Roman theatres were built in all areas of the Empire, from Spain to the Middle East. Because of the Romans' ability to influence local architecture, we see numerous theatres around the world with uniquely Roman attributes.[1]

Similarities exist between the theatres and amphitheaters of ancient Rome. They were constructed out of the same material, Roman concrete, and provided a place for the public to go and see numerous events. However, they are two entirely different structures, with specific layouts that lend to the different events they held. Amphitheatres did not need superior acoustics, unlike those provided by the structure of a Roman theatre. While amphitheatres would feature races and gladiatorial events, theatres hosted events such as plays, pantomimes, choral events, orations, and commerce.[citation needed] Their design, with its semicircular form, enhances the natural acoustics, unlike Roman amphitheatres constructed in the round.[1]

Interior view of the Roman theatre of Bosra, Syria: 1) Scaenae frons 2) Porticus post scaenam 3) Pulpitum 4) Proscaenium 5) Orchestra 6) Cavea 7) Aditus maximus 8) Vomitorium.

These buildings were semi-circular and possessed certain inherent architectural structures, with minor differences depending on the region in which they were constructed. The scaenae frons was a high back wall of the stage floor, supported by columns. The proscaenium was a wall that supported the front edge of the stage with ornately decorated niches off to the sides. The Hellenistic influence is seen through the use of the proscenium. The Roman theatre also had a podium, which sometimes supported the columns of the scaenae frons. The theatre itself was divided into the stage (orchestra) and the seating section (cavea). The cavea was sometimes constructed on a small hill or slope in which stacked seating could be easily made in the tradition of the Greek theatres. The center of the cavea was hollowed out of a hill or slope, while the outer radian seats required structural support and solid retaining walls. This was not always the case as Romans tended to build their theatres regardless of the availability of hillsides. All theatres built within the city of Rome were completely man-made without the use of earthworks. The cavea was not roofed, rather, awnings (velarium) could be pulled overhead to provide shelter from rain or sunlight.[2] Vomitoria, passages situated below or behind a tier of seats, were made available to the audience.[3]

Some Roman theatres, constructed of wood, were torn down after the festival for which they were erected concluded. This practice was due to a moratorium on permanent theatre structures that lasted until 55 BC when the Theatre of Pompey was built with the addition of a temple to avoid the law. Some Roman theatres show signs of never having been completed in the first place.[4]

Inside Rome, few theatres have survived the centuries following their construction, providing little evidence about the specific theatres. The Roman Theatre of Orange in modern Orange, France, is a good example of a classic Roman theatre, with an indented scaenae frons, reminiscent of why Western Roman theatre designs, however, stripped of its ornamental stone columns and statues.[2]

## Gallery

[edit]

* Well preserved Roman Theatre of Aspendos

* Roman Theatre (Mérida)

* Roman Theatre of Orange, France

* Roman Theatre at Palmyra

* Plovdiv Roman theatre, Bulgaria

* Roman Theatre of Caesarea, Israel

## See also

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ancient Roman theatres.

* List of Roman theatres
* Theatre of ancient Rome
* Roman architecture
* Gallo-Roman Theater of Lisieux

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Jones, Mark Wilson (2000). Principles of Roman Architecture. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-08138-3.
2. ^ a b Richard Allan Tomlinson. "Theatres (Greek and Roman), structure", The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization. Ed. Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth. Oxford University Press, 1998. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Northwestern University. 11 May 2007.
3. ^ Ros, Karen E. (1996). "The Roman Theater at Carthage". American Journal of Archaeology. 100 (3): 449–89\. JSTOR 507025.
4. ^ , Constance Campbell. "The Uncompleted Theatres of Rome", The Johns Hopkins University Press. Theatre Journal 55.1 (2003) 67–79 10 May 2007.

* v
* t
* e

Ancient Rome topics

* Outline
* Timeline

History|

* Foundation
* Kingdom
* overthrow
* Republic

Empire|

* History
* Pax Romana
* Principate
* Dominate
* Western Empire
* fall
* historiography of the fall
* Byzantine Empire
* decline
* fall
* Later Roman Empire
* History

Constitution|

* History
* Kingdom
* Republic
* Empire
* Late Empire
* Senate
* Legislative assemblies
* Curiate
* Centuriate
* Tribal
* Plebeian
* Executive magistrates
* SPQR

Law|

* Twelve Tables
* Mos maiorum
* Citizenship
* Auctoritas
* Imperium
* Status
* Litigation

Government|

* Curia
* Forum
* Cursus honorum
* Collegiality
* Emperor
* Legatus
* Dux
* Officium
* Praefectus
* Vicarius
* Vigintisexviri
* Lictor
* Magister militum
* Imperator
* Princeps senatus
* Pontifex maximus
* Augustus
* Caesar
* Tetrarch
* Optimates and populares
* Province

Magistrates|

| Ordinary|

* Consul
* Censor
* Praetor
* Tribune
* Tribune of the plebs
* Military tribune
* Quaestor
* Aedile
* Promagistrate
* Governor

|

Extraordinary|

* Rex
* Interrex
* Dictator
* Magister equitum
* Decemviri
* Consular tribune
* Triumvir

Military|

* History
* Borders
* Establishment
* Structure
* Campaigns
* Political control
* Strategy
* Engineering
* Frontiers and fortifications
* castra
* Technology
* Army
* Legion
* Infantry tactics
* Personal equipment
* Siege engines
* Siege in Ancient Rome
* Navy
* Auxiliaries
* Decorations and punishments
* Hippika gymnasia

Economy|

* Agriculture
* Deforestation
* Commerce
* Finance
* Currency
* Republican currency
* Imperial currency

Culture|

* Architecture
* Art
* Bathing
* Calendar
* Clothing
* Cosmetics
* Cuisine
* Education
* Family
* Pater familias
* Folklore
* Hairstyles
* Literature
* Music
* Mythology
* Religion
* Deities
* Romanization
* Romans
* Sexuality
* Spectacles
* Theatre
* Toys and games
* Wine

Society|

* Patricians
* Plebs
* Conflict of the Orders
* Secessio plebis
* Equites
* Gens
* Tribes
* Assembly
* Patronage
* Naming conventions
* Demography
* Women
* Marriage
* Adoption
* Slavery
* Bagaudae

Technology|

* Amphitheatres
* Aqueducts
* Bridges
* Circuses
* Civil engineering
* Concrete
* Domes
* Metallurgy
* Numerals
* Roads
* Sanitation
* Ships
* Temples
* Theatres
* Thermae

Latin|

* History
* Alphabet
* Versions
* Old
* Classical
* Vulgar
* Late
* Medieval
* Renaissance
* Neo-Latin
* Contemporary
* Ecclesiastical
* Romance languages

Writers|

| Latin|

* Aelius Donatus
* Ammianus Marcellinus
* Appuleius
* Asconius Pedianus
* Augustine
* Aurelius Victor
* Ausonius
* Boëthius
* Caesar
* Catullus
* Cassiodorus
* Censorinus
* Cicero
* Claudian
* Columella
* Cornelius Nepos
* Ennius
* Eutropius
* Fabius Pictor
* Sextus Pompeius Festus
* Rufus Festus
* Florus
* Frontinus
* Fronto
* Fulgentius
* Gellius
* Horace
* Hydatius
* Hyginus
* Jerome
* Jordanes
* Julius Paulus
* Justin
* Juvenal
* Lactantius
* Livy
* Lucan
* Lucretius
* Macrobius
* Marcellus Empiricus
* Marcus Aurelius
* Manilius
* Martial
* Nicolaus Damascenus
* Nonius Marcellus
* Obsequens
* Orosius
* Ovid
* Petronius
* Phaedrus
* Plautus
* Pliny the Elder
* Pliny the Younger
* Pomponius Mela
* Priscian
* Propertius
* Quadrigarius
* Quintilian
* Quintus Curtius Rufus
* Sallust
* Seneca the Elder
* Seneca the Younger
* Servius
* Sidonius Apollinaris
* Silius Italicus
* Statius
* Suetonius
* Symmachus
* Tacitus
* Terence
* Tertullian
* Tibullus
* Valerius Antias
* Valerius Maximus
* Varro
* Velleius Paterculus
* Verrius Flaccus
* Vergil
* Vitruvius

|

Greek|

* Aelian
* Aëtius of Amida
* Appian
* Arrian
* Cassius Dio
* Diodorus Siculus
* Diogenes Laërtius
* Dionysius of Halicarnassus
* Dioscorides
* Eusebius of Caesaria
* Galen
* Herodian
* Josephus
* Julian
* Libanius
* Lucian
* Pausanias
* Philostratus
* Phlegon of Tralles
* Photius
* Plutarch
* Polyaenus
* Polybius
* Porphyrius
* Priscus
* Procopius
* Simplicius of Cilicia
* Sozomen
* Stephanus Byzantinus
* Strabo
* Themistius
* Theodoret
* Zonaras
* Zosimus

Major cities|

* Alexandria
* Antioch
* Aquileia
* Berytus
* Bononia
* Carthage
* Constantinopolis
* Eboracum
* Leptis Magna
* Londinium
* Lugdunum
* Lutetia
* Mediolanum
* Pompeii
* Ravenna
* Roma
* Smyrna
* Vindobona
* Volubilis

Lists and other
topics|

* Cities and towns
* Climate
* Consuls
* Dictators
* Distinguished women
* Dynasties
* Emperors
* Empresses
* Fiction
* Film
* Generals
* Gentes
* Geographers
* Institutions
* Laws
* Legacy
* Legions
* Magistri equitum
* Nomina
* Pontifices maximi
* Praetors
* Quaestors
* Tribunes
* Roman–Iranian relations
* External wars and battles
* Civil wars and revolts

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template